Derek Hough and Wife Hayley Share the Inspiration Behind Their Baby Girl’s Name
Derek Hough and his wife Hayley Erbert are sharing their journey in selecting a name for their newborn daughter, Everley Capri.
“Everley was always at the top of a list that I had,” Erbert, 31, told People during an interview published on Wednesday, January 21. “I recently saw a post that said, ‘It’s crazy that I’ve seen your name in my notes app for so long, and now you’re here with me.’ I thought, ‘That’s exactly how I feel.’ Her name always had a special mark beside it because there were a few we really liked.”
Erbert shared that she and Hough, 40, took “four or five days” to finalize a name, ultimately relying on their instincts.
“[We decided] to keep looking at her and see which name resonated with us,” she explained.
Regarding the spelling of Everley, the couple aimed to match the last three letters of Erbert’s name, Hayley.
“It’s very intentional, the way we spelled it,” Hough added.
The new parents explored the numerology of “Everley” after a friend suggested it, discovering that it was a master number of 11. This insight gave them additional confidence that they had made the right choice, as Erbert noticed the number 11 everywhere.
“She was 11 days late, and I was born on October 11,” she said. “It felt like a sign, and we were like, ‘This is right. This is it.’”
Numerology is believed to show a mystical connection between numbers and life events, similar to astrology.
“Whether you believe in that sort of thing or not, it was fascinating,” Hough stated. “Looking at its meanings, we thought, ‘OK, this is beautiful. We love this.’ It just felt right.”
Hough and Erbert also shared the significance of the middle name “Capri,” explaining that the Dancing With the Stars judge initially wanted a name that included “rain” or “bow” to honor Everley as their rainbow baby following a heartbreaking miscarriage. Ultimately, they chose a different route.
“When we added Capri, we thought, ‘Oh my gosh, this is beautiful,’” Erbert remarked, while Hough noted, “Capri adds a little spicy flair to her name.”
Hough and Erbert, who married in 2023, announced Everley’s birth on January 5.
“December 29, 2025. Everley Capri Hough 🤍,” Derek wrote in an Instagram post. “Every step of our lives has led us to you. Our hearts have been opened wide, and our world is forever changed.”
On January 13, Hough exclusively told Us Weekly that he is relishing this new chapter with Erbert.
“I just feel so grateful for health, this blessing, and the fresh start,” Hough shared. “This new year will be filled with experiences heightened by love. Even marriage — being with someone you love enhances any experience.”
